A repeat of last year’s flying start would be most welcome as Derby prepare for the 2017-18 campaign.

Last year it was National League Three Midlands, this year it’s the Midlands Premier after the RFU decided to rename the division. Although the name has changed the goal remains the same for Derby as they aim to prove again that they can compete at this level.

Following promotion from Midlands One East in 2016, Derby surged to the top of the table at the start of last season with five wins on the trot.

It was a fantastic start but a run of defeats later in the campaign meant they finished ninth in the table.

On Saturday they start the new campaign at home against the team that finished one place above them, Old Halesonians (3pm).

“If you lose your first six games then you are under pressure and it’s very difficult to play under that.

“We want a good basis for the season. Last season we were never playing catch-up, never in the relegation zone, although we suffered a run of defeats at the end.

“We lost both games against Old Halesonians last season but they were very close and it should be the same on Saturday. It’s a game we definitely have a chance of winning.

“Our pack is stronger and we have been doing a lot of work on our defence since last season because that was one area where we definitely needed to improve.”

Martin Kent, who joined on loan from Macclesfield last season, has signed on a permanent basis and is the first XV captain, while Adam Parkins will boost the pack after joining from Northampton.

Patrick Culligan is another recruit, the centre arrives from Nottingham Trent, while Sam Martin will be looking to impress in the backs after stepping up from the colts.

Derby have also welcomed back Luke Wilmott, Andy Brown and Jared Parkinson but there have been some departures too.

Jim Wigglesworth has retired after suffering two concussions last season, Jake Lamb and Joe Symcox have joined Sheffield Tigers, Luke Frixou is giving rugby league a try at Coventry Bears, Emile Cabale has returned to Spain and Ceri White is back home in Wales after joining Neath.

Fearon is confident Derby are in good shape.

“I have set finishing in the top six as a target and the players have their own individual targets,” he added.

“If we can keep everyone fit then we have a good chance. A lot of games at this level are won or lost by a single score.

“The players have had a long rest over the summer because it was a brutal season last time and we are ready to go again.”

Although Derby are at home on Saturday they won’t be playing on their first XV pitch.

Instead they will be using the club’s training pitch at Haslams Lane while a new AGP (artificial grass pitch) is installed.

The AGP (3G) surface is one of only a few in the UK to be built to World Rugby standards but the club has had to wait through months of negotiation – dealing with planning issues and technical challenges – before work finally began this month. The pitch should be ready by December.